The fallout from that night in Paris continues.While some have accepted it as one of football’s great injustices (and the ensuing drama/debate as part of the reason we all love sport so much), others have chosen to self-medicate in the warm, comforting arms of conspiracy theory.
Damien Duff is part of the latter camp. Talking to reporters from a shadowy car-park alcove, the Fulham winger revealed the World Cup 2010 playoffs have been orchestrated by a higher power, made up of German sportswear giant Adidas, the French Football Federation and Michel Platini:
Do I think it’s a conspiracy? Definitely. FIFA want the big teams in the World Cup, they want France in the World Cup, and it may sound silly but they want teams sponsored by adidas. Adidas sponsor the World Cup, they sponsor France. Michel Platini has a lot of influence as well.
Maybe we’d have had a better chance of going to the World Cup if it was sponsored by Umbro.
Hilariously, The Sun point out, in his rage Duff seems to have forgotten, as well as his weekly pay packet from Fulham, he gets paid a £100,000 a year to wear football boots made by … Adidas.
What to do now? So far, The Spoiler has heard: ‘ban Henry from the World Cup’, ‘ban France from the World Cup’, ‘replay the fixture’, and a whole lot of rude words directed at Thierry Henry - mainly all on TalkSPORT.
Five Gunners stars who should tie their belongings in a red and white polka-dot handkerchief, put it on the end of a stick, and hit the road
[Caught Offside]
West Ham’s female fanbase gets better and better
[The Sun]
Although incredibly irritating, vuvuzelas are clearly a big part of African football culture right now. This is South Africa’s World Cup. Just STFU and get on with it, Japan/Alonso. We’re not in the NFL.
[Guardian]
Hooligans force player to switch clubs
[Dirty Tackle]
Lampsie has two attractive women fighting for his attention
[Daily Star]
After Cameroon secured their passage to next year’s World Cup last weekend with a 2-0 win over Morocco, Eto’o made good on a promise to give every member of the squad a £30k watch.
Getting a Cameroon call-up is an extra-special affair, considering the striker has a history of giving things away to his fellow countrymen. Four years ago Samuel shelled out £60k after promising the squad two grand each should they beat Ivory Coast in n upcoming match.
His charity doesn’t stop at fellow pros though. According to Football Italia:
Eto’o is not shy of making a bet, as long as the proceeds go to charity. Three years ago, he did a deal with Ford whereby they would send an ambulance to Cameroon for every goal he scored above a certain quota.
He is now in the process of recycling Europe’s unwanted shoes, installing special bins in Spanish department store El Corte Ingles where people can donate them to charity.
Ignoring England’s ridiculous, money-spinning, injury-ravaged jaunt to Brazil; and the baffling decision to put the first friendly anyone might have given a toss about for ages firmly out of physical reach of the average fan, there are some actually important games going on this weekend.
The World Cup 2010 UEFA playoffs start tomorrow, complete with added seeding-system nonsense, as eight European teams fight it out for four of the remaining nine places. Who will take a first leg advantage?
Ireland vs France
Shots have been fired by players and diplomats alike, prior to this weekend’s marquee clash. Raymond Domenech’s job rests on the outcome, which in turn rests the surety of his centre-back pairing - currently Gallas plus ‘whoever wants a go’. This one may be closer than the French team care to admit.
Die Mannschaft channel Sin City and a bit of Watchmen…
A little less standing around and this could’ve bested classic Nike adverts such as “No! It’s rounder,” and “Au Revoir”. Or at least that’s what The Spoiler called them in primary school.
UPDATE: Having actually watched both Nike adverts again, The Spoiler can confirm they will never be bested, ever.
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